We don’t know how this happily married couple first met, all we know is they go together like two peas in a mushy pod. But forget everything you may know about where to find the best batch of fish n’ chups, because nowhere does this British staple as well as North Norfolk. Not Whitby, not Aldeburgh, not Hastings or Weymouth. Norfolk is the winner, and if you haven’t treated your mouth to our fish n’ chips yet, well, errr, have you even had fish n’ chips?
In that spirit, and because we have a philanthropic side to our business, we rounded up the very best of the crispy & golden, the ones that will make you reconsider everything you knew about Friday takeaways. So, without further ado, here are the results of our truly delicious research:
Eric’s Fish And Chips, Thornham
What we’re getting: Cod loin (with a side of battered squid)
When people found out that celebrated local chef Eric Snaith and his team were going to try their hands at fish and chips, there was probably some confusion. But very quickly, that confusion turned into a crunchy, lip-smacking silence because nowhere does this British classic like Eric’s Fish & Chips. To be respected in this area, you need to hark back to the traditional British fish and chip restaurants, which Eric’s does, but it does so with a ton of modern twists, such as freshly made halloumi & spinach arancini, homemade black garlic mayo and even a Japanese-style fish burger (not to mention an exciting menu of fine wines). But in case that’s still not enough to make you head to Drove Orchard, the awards speak for themselves: Top 5 in the National Fish & Chips Awards, Top 10 Best Restaurants according to Fry Magazine and Best Restaurant in the Restaurant Guru awards. Oh and Tom Hardy has been known to visit.
No.1 Cromer, Cromer
What we’re getting: Cockle ‘popcorn’ with chilli vinegar and spiced salt Spoiler alert: the North Norfolk coast is not short of award winning fishy fryeries, and No.1 Cromer proves exactly why that’s the case.
Created by celebrity chef Galton Blackiston, who also owns the Michelin-starred Morston Hall, this seafront eatery is not your everyday chippie; it’s an upmarket chippie with endless views across Cromer beach, a locally-sourced menu and the pedigree of one of TV’s most gastronomic chefs. Of course, no fish and chip shop would be complete without the sort of mainstays that make you go “mmmmmm”, like battered cod and haddock and plaice, but you don’t stand out by just sticking to these either, so unleash your inner foodie and try the Cromer crab cakes, the hanger steak burgers and the mushy pea fritters. This is one to remember and one worth travelling for.
French’s Fish & Chip Shop, Wells-Next-The-Sea
What we’re getting: Large cod and chips with mushy peas
You know howe said, “you don’t stand out by just sticking to the mainstays”? Well, French’s is the exception because this award-winning, family-owned fish n’ chip shop has been a local favourite for over 90 years and won back-to-back-to-back national awards for as long as we can remember. We don’t know their secret, all we know is they do traditional fish & chips better than anywhere else. Golden, crunchy, fresh from the boat, packed full of flavour and boasting panoramic views of the famous Wells Quay. Oh and their shop itself (which is full of lime green furniture set against the traditional chequered tile walls) is about as Instagrammable as they come, so make sure you have your camera at the ready and your belly empty.
Platten’s Fish & Chips, Wells-Next-The-Sea
What we’re getting: Plaice, chips and a pot of cockles.
Welcome to the other local favourite in this super-friendly local rivalry, Platen’s, which is just two doors down from French’s and celebrated for its forget-me-not flavour. And the best bit is, they get their deliveries straight off the back of the boats, meaning their fish is so fresh you might need to slap it. And if queues are anything to go by, this place will rank so very high up there. Thankfully the picturesque coastal views and salty sea breeze drifting in across the waves will keep you busy while you shuffle forward. And, trust us, their flaky, honey-golden batter, all sided by perfectly cooked chips is well worth the wait. But of course they are, they’ve been doing this since 1966.
Fishers of Hunstanton, Hunstanton
What we’re getting: Whole tail scampi and chips (okay, and a black pudding fritter)
One of the most classic, no-nonsense institutions of the local fish & chips scene, Fishers is loved by everyone from day-trippers, first-daters, dad’s who can’t cook, local office workers and people on the hunt for a very good bit of fish, which is bought daily from the local trawlers doing their thing in The Wash. The service is notoriously smiley too, which has become part of its charm. Whatever you’re into, you’re going to be into the way these local legends use a special oil to fry their scaley beasts to perfection. A beach walk beneath the multi-coloured cliffs, a swift pint at the Strange Arms, a few coppers spent in the arcade and some fresh fish and chips to finish. Life is good.
The Sheringham Trawler, Sheringham
What we’re getting: The classic, whatever that means to you.
This squeaky-clean, yet charming shop is how the ambitious do fish & chips, and they’re doing a damn fine job. Tackling both the take away classic as well as a whole sit down number, the Trawler lives up to its name with a cute and kitsch nautical décor and, most importantly of all, an epic selection of deliciously fresh fish. It’s one of those off the beaten path places you’d easily miss, which would be an opportunity missed for your belly because the Trawler has one of those something-for-everyone menus, from beef-dripping batter to gluten-free options to homemade burgers and more. If you’re craving some greasy goodness, this is the spot.
If you want to be close to the coast to enjoy daily fish and chips take a look at our Norfolk cottages by the sea to find the perfect place to relax after your days out.
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